Coupling system

Abstract

A coupling system for use in medical applications is provided, comprising: a first member (5100) comprising a circular portion; and a second member (5240) being biased radially relative to the circular portion thereby to couple the first member (5100) to a further component (5200).

1 . A coupling system for use in medical applications, comprising:
 a first member comprising a circular portion; and   a second member being biased radially relative to the circular portion thereby to couple the first member to a further component.   
     
     
         2 . A coupling system according to  claim 1 , further comprising the further component, wherein the further component comprises the second member. 
     
     
         3 . A coupling system according to  claim 2 , wherein the further component further comprises a circular portion; and the second member is an arm extending from the circular portion. 
     
     
         4 . A coupling system according to  claim 3 , wherein the arm is arranged radially outward of the circular portion. 
     
     
         5 . A coupling system according to  claim 3  or  4 , wherein at least part of the arm extends generally tangentially to the circular portion; preferably wherein said extension is in a direction the same as a direction in which the arm is rotated in order to couple the first member to a further component. 
     
     
         6 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 2  to  5 , further comprising a ring component, wherein the second member is configured to bear against the ring component to couple the first member and the further component. 
     
     
         7 . A coupling system according to  claim 6 , wherein the ring component is arranged to rotate relative to the further component. 
     
     
         8 . A coupling system according to  claim 6  or  7 , wherein the ring component comprises a formation for receiving the second member thereby to couple the first member and the further component; preferably wherein the ring component is arranged to be rotated relative to the further component into a position in which the formation receives the second member. 
     
     
         9 . A coupling system according to  claim 8 , wherein the formation receives the second member in a snap fit, preferably wherein the formation and second formation are configured to produce an audible sound when the formation receives the second member; more preferably wherein the system produces a visual indication when the formation receives the second member. 
     
     
         10 . A coupling system according to  claim 8  or  9 , wherein the ring component comprises a flange including the formation, the flange being configured to accommodate and deflect the second member, preferably where the formation is a groove or discontinuity in the flange; more preferably a groove or discontinuity in an outer wall of the flange. 
     
     
         11 . A coupling system according to  claim 10 , wherein the further component further comprises a tab located proximate the second member, wherein the flange comprises a further tab configured to abut the tab thereby to prevent rotation of the ring component relative to the further component beyond a position at which the formation receives the second member; preferably wherein the tab is located adjacent an end of the second member; more preferably wherein the tab is located in a direction relative to the second member that is the same as a direction in which the arm is rotated in order to couple the first member to a further component. 
     
     
         12 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 8  to  11 , wherein the second member comprises a protrusion extending radially from the second member, wherein said protrusion is arranged to be received by the formation; preferably wherein said protrusion is proximate an end of the second member. 
     
     
         13 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 6  to  12 , wherein the ring component is retained by the first member, preferably such that the ring component cannot move in an axial direction relative to the first member. 
     
     
         14 . A coupling system according to  claim 13 , wherein the ring component is retained such that the ring component can rotate with respect to the first member; preferably wherein the ring component is retained in a groove of the first member. 
     
     
         15 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 6  to  14 , wherein the ring component comprises at least one handle; preferably wherein the at least one handle and the further tab are continuous. 
     
     
         16 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 2  to  15 , further comprising a plurality of second members; preferably further comprising a plurality of corresponding formations; more preferably comprising a plurality of tabs. 
     
     
         17 . A coupling system according to  claim 16 , further comprising three second members being arranged symmetrically about the circular portion. 
     
     
         18 . A coupling system according to  claim 16  or  17  when dependent on  claim 9 , wherein the flange is discontinuous, preferably such that the continuities correspond to the locations of the second members in a position in which the formations(s) receive the locking members, more preferably thereby to allow the further component to be removed from the first member. 
     
     
         19 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 2  to  18 , wherein the first member and further component couple such that a fluid conduit is formed. 
     
     
         20 . A coupling system according to  claim 19 , wherein one or both of the first member and further component comprises a deformable element being configured to be compressed upon coupling to form a seal. 
     
     
         21 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 2  to  20 , wherein the first member and further component are prevented from rotating relative to each other when coupled, preferably by friction in the seal. 
     
     
         22 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 2  to  21 , wherein the first member and further component are operable to be coupled in a first mode in which the first member and further component are prevented from rotating relative to each other; and a second mode in which the first member and further component are able to rotate relative to each other; preferably: wherein a variant second member and/or further component is provided for use in the second mode; more preferably wherein said variant second member and/or further component has one or more different material properties to the second member and/or further component, and/or wherein the second member is actuable thereby to allow control of the tightness of the seal. 
     
     
         23 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 2  to  22 , wherein the second member is biased radially outwards relative to the circular portion. 
     
     
         24 . A coupling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second member is arranged to bear against at least one of the first member and a further component thereby to couple the first member to a further component; preferably wherein the second member is arranged to bear against the first member and a further component thereby to couple the first member to a further component. 
     
     
         25 . A coupling system according to  claim 24 , wherein the second member is biased radially outwards relative to the circular portion. 
     
     
         26 . A coupling system according to  claim 1 ,  24  or  25 , wherein the second member acts as a spring. 
     
     
         27 . A coupling system according to  claim 26 , wherein the second member is shaped as a circlip. 
     
     
         28 . A coupling system according to  claim 26  or  27 , wherein the second member extends at least partially around the first member. 
     
     
         29 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 26  to  28 , wherein the second member further comprises handles which protrude from the coupling system; preferably wherein the handles are located proximate respective ends of the second member, more preferably such that the handles can be pinched to compress the second member. 
     
     
         30 . A coupling system according to  claim 29 , wherein the handles comprise cut-out portions such that other components of the coupling system extend through the cut-out portions. 
     
     
         31 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 26  to  30 , wherein the second member comprises first and second formations for engaging with different components thereby to couple the first member to a further component, preferably wherein the first and second formations are provided on a side of the second member, more preferably wherein the first and second formations are adjacent. 
     
     
         32 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 26  to  31 , wherein the first and second formations are arranged at different widths on the second member. 
     
     
         33 . A coupling system according to  claim 31  or  32 , wherein at least one of the first and second formations comprise teeth, the teeth forming part of a ratchet mechanism. 
     
     
         34 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 26  to  33 , wherein the first member comprises at least one formation with which the second member engages, the at least one formation being located outwardly of the circular portion. 
     
     
         35 . A coupling system according to  claim 34 , wherein the at least one formation comprises at least one clip, preferably wherein the at least one clip extends outwardly from the circular portion; more preferably wherein the width of the at least one clip is configured to allow compression of the second member. 
     
     
         36 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 26  to  35 , wherein the first and second members comprise further cooperative formations which engage thereby to prevent relative rotation between the first and second members. 
     
     
         37 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 26  to  36 , further comprising a third member comprising a circular portion, wherein the third member is the further component; preferably wherein the circular portion is arranged to form a continuous conduit with the circular portion of the first member. 
     
     
         38 . A coupling system according to  claim 37 , wherein the third member further comprises at least one formation against which the second member bears. 
     
     
         39 . A coupling system according to  claim 38 , wherein the formation comprises an outer wall, preferably wherein the outer wall is located outwardly of the conduit. 
     
     
         40 . A coupling system according to  claim 39 , wherein the outer wall comprises teeth forming part of a ratchet mechanism. 
     
     
         41 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 38  to  40 , wherein the third member further comprises a base, preferably extending between the circular conduit and at least one formation, for connecting to a user's skin, preferably via adhesive. 
     
     
         42 . A coupling system according to  claim 41 , wherein a width of the base is configured such that, when compressed, the first and second member can be rotated within a channel created by the gap between the conduit and the at least one formation. 
     
     
         43 . A coupling system according to any of  claims 26  to  42 , wherein the coupling system is for an ostomy bag, wherein the first member attaches to an ostomy bag. 
     
     
         44 . An ostomy bag system, comprising the coupling system according to any preceding claim, and an ostomy bag. 
     
     
         45 . An ostomy bag system according to  claim 45 , further comprising a cover for the bag; preferably wherein the cover is suspended from the coupling system of the bag; more preferably wherein the cover comprises formations for receiving corresponding formations of the coupling system; yet more preferably wherein said corresponding formations are handles of the coupling system. 
     
     
         46 . A cover for surrounding an ostomy bag, wherein the cover is configured to be suspended from a coupling system of the bag; more preferably wherein the cover comprises formations for receiving corresponding formations of the coupling system. 
     
     
         47 . A spring shaped as a circlip for a coupling component for use in medical applications.